Skip to main content
D
djparkerdiver
Known Participant
May 23, 2018
Answered

Project Manager Error

  • May 23, 2018
  • 42 replies
  • 113388 views

Hello

Wondering if anyone else has had the same issue. Im trying to move a project from my MacBook to my iMac using the method of Project Manager; Collect files and copy to new location.

But every time I try this I get a error message saying "an unknown error occurred during the project manager operation. Please save your project and retry the operation". I tried that and still no luck.

Anyone able to shed light on the situation would be great. Or is there another way to move the project easily?

Many thanks

Dan

      Correct answer Terryking

      2025, Had this issue just recently. I unticked the [include Preview Files] and it worked just fine.

      How my issue started: I have a pretty large project with tones of edits in them but I wanted to share just one edit with someone. When I went to use project manager for that one project it was still trying to add everything. So I just created a new project and sequence, then copied the project sequences I wanted in the new project and then closed the larger project. When I then tried to use project manager, I experienced the error message.

      42 replies

      E
      Erwin30273378a7nh
      Participant
      June 10, 2025

      I use M3 Pro Macbook and here's how I fixed mine.
      Went to my sequence and copied all my clips, music, sfx, vfx (CMD + A) from my main timeline.
      Created a new project + Create new sequence (Same as my previous main timeline)
      Pasted all files in there
      Close my previous project wherein I copied my files from
      Saved my new project file
      Project Manager > Collect files and copy to new location. DONE!

      A
      Anonymous
      May 17, 2025

      What worked for me was removing the "Bars and Tone Rec - 709" item completely from my project.

      T
      TerrykingCorrect answer
      Participant
      May 1, 2025

      2025, Had this issue just recently. I unticked the [include Preview Files] and it worked just fine.

      How my issue started: I have a pretty large project with tones of edits in them but I wanted to share just one edit with someone. When I went to use project manager for that one project it was still trying to add everything. So I just created a new project and sequence, then copied the project sequences I wanted in the new project and then closed the larger project. When I then tried to use project manager, I experienced the error message.

        B
        Ben Nunney
        Participant
        January 24, 2025

        I just had this issue today. Am trying again, hoping deselecting the collect previews works. But the real question is why the error then wipes any trace of the 400/480gb already copied? I'm used to meaningless errors, crashes and laughable interface bugginess, but why would it be designed to it delete media already copied, when it has one of its little moments? I can't export an AAF, the XML has numerous errors and now the Project manager wastes 2hrs of my time, on a deadline. The software has taken my work hostage.  Premiere "Pro", what a joke. Sorry for the vent but I have lots of time to waste as I sit here copying the copied files into another folder just in case it takes 2hr and then wipes everything it has done again. Good times.

        LuMags
        LuMags
        Inspiring
        March 12, 2025

        Wow. I can't beleive this is STILL an issue. I Googled this error code which led to this which I commented on MANY YEARS AGO! Come on Adobe DEV, make this work. Or at least give a better error code.

         

         

        FIXED - by removing tick in "include preview files". Maybe an error of "Unable to export preview files, would you like to retry without?" would help eeeeeveryone!!

          S
          shariw_
          Participant
          November 12, 2024

          I was having this problem too, i unticked the preview files and it still didnt work. I was working off 2 harddrives so i put all the files on one, and relinked them on a new project with just was I was exporting, then i saved it to my desktop instead of back to another harddrive. it worked. 

          T
          Tochera Andrew
          Participant
          June 26, 2024

          I've been having this problem for days trying to backup my older projects that were a mess. NOTHING IN THIS THREAD worked EXCEPT ONE THING!:

          Export your sequence as a project, open that project, collect files and copy to new location and it works like a charm!

          Also, it is so fast, i'd advise you to do this all the time too. Personally, I have never exported a sequence as a project before!

            felipe92
            felipe92
            Participant
            November 18, 2024

            That was the only workaround that worked for me. Thanks!!

            (Premiere Pro 2025)

            B
            Buntd
            Participant
            April 16, 2024

            Unchecking all the boxes didn't make a difference for me, but importing the sequence into another project and then using the Project Manager worked.

            FloWalther
            FloWalther
            Participant
            December 24, 2023

            For me the problem was resolved after removing Caption Presets I created earlier.

              A
              Alex24971128o6ft
              Participant
              February 22, 2024

              My dude! This worked for me thank you so much for posting this!

              I had tried pretty much every trick in the book, unchecking preview files and audio conform files. Renamed files to make sure they did not have special characters, cleared up cache and deleted proxies. Glad I finally found something that worked!

              Z
              zmir
              Participating Frequently
              June 15, 2023

              Great thread. I am experiencing this horrible thing now. After copying 731GB for hours it gives the horror message and upon closing the dialog box it deletes all files. How annyoying. I have tried it 6-7 times in different ways, SSD (external) and also WD Elements. Now trying without audio and preview. Let's if that solves it. I called support and they told me to try on a different drive but as it turns out drive is not the issue 

                K
                Krik Krak Productions
                Participant
                August 4, 2022

                When I tried to export a sequence using this method a lot of proxy's clips not used in the sequence are copied in the location and it takes a lot of time every time I did it. Anyone know what's happening?¿ The clips and proxys are not in the sequence but the admin tool still cpoy all of them... May be it's a cahe error? I tried to delete all media cache files and cache files but still happen...

                If anyone can help me it will be great!

                Thanks

                N
                Nicolas from Autokroma
                Participating Frequently
                September 21, 2022

                Hello ! 
                As you have issues with the Project Manager, you should try PlumePack ! 
                It's a Premiere Pro plugin which makes the same job than the Project Manager : Consolidate your project, but with more features / options and with less bugs. 
                The "Collect & Copy" feature is FREE ! https://www.autokroma.com/blog/PlumePack-is-now-FREE
                About proxies, if you just copy your project you can choose to include them or not with a special option. 
                Best,
                Nicolas from Autokroma

                Show more replies
                Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
                Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices